'Bachelor' Sean & Catherine tie the knot, live

Jan. 26, 2014
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Catherine Giudici tried on a dress. / Greg Zabilski, ABC

by Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

by Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Live from the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara, it was the first live TV Bachelor wedding.

Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici tied the knot Sunday in a two-hour ABC special. We lost track of how many times the grinning twosome declared their love for each other.

Bachelor host Chris Harrison stumbled over a word in his opening intro, but other than that, the hitching went off without a hitch.

There were tears (Sean) and laughter (Catherine) and lots of roses (not red ones!). "This is real life and we're really doing this," said Sean in a taped interview at the start.

The two-hour show spent the first hour taking us back to the two moving to Dallas, where they have been living separately. Much was made of the fact that Sean and Catherine, who got engaged in November 2012, have waited to consummate their relationship until they were married.

A small inset popped up every now and then showing the live wedding action -- guests arriving and assembling on an outdoor patio, Catherine getting her hair and makeup done, and Sean welling up as he read over his vows. A separate live "honeymoon suite cam" also popped up showing a shot of the bed where the two were slated to spend their wedding night.

In taped segments in Dallas, Sean's family welcomed Catherine, hugging her and saying how much they love her. Sean and Catherine asked Jay Lowe, Sean's dad, to officiate at the wedding, which brought a tear to Dad's eye.

We also saw Catherine tell wedding planner Mindy Weiss the theme of the event should be "grown sexy." Catherine giggled, adding, "I want everyone to feel so sexy that they conceive that night!"

That vision translated into large free-standing hanging chandeliers, tons of white and pink roses, and chairs covered in white at the outdoor ceremony.

We saw Catherine try on Monique Lhuillier wedding dresses. We saw Sean awkwardly shop for lingerie for the honeymoon. And we saw them giggle more when he presented his purchases to her. And then we saw Catherine practice poses for boudoir photos she wanted done as a present for him.

"I feel like a butterfly, waiting to be exposed to him," Catherine explained to one of her bridesmaids.

At 9:20 p.m. ET, two cellists began playing and the procession began, with Sean and his parents walking down the white pathway to the stage at the front of the guests. Bridesmaids made their entrances, as Catherine was shown in the bridal suite getting one final lipstick touch-up. Sean's niece was an adorable flower girl. Sean's nephew and Catherine's nephew were cute little ring bearers.

With a big sigh and after giving her mom a hug, Catherine was just about to take her first step toward Sean at 9:26 p.m. when ABC cut to a commercial. At 9:30 p.m. guests stood and she made her entrance, solo. Sean welled up and wiped his eyes as he watched her arrive. Her head wasn't covered by her veil, but it hung over her bare shoulders from the back of her head. Pearl and diamond earrings hung longer than her chin.

Jay Lowe praised his son's "kindness and honesty," and said he was "proud" of him. To Catherine, he said, "You inspire happiness wherever you go. You just giggle all the time. ... Sherry and I are head over heels for you, girl!"

He then went through the traditional vows, to which Sean replied, "I do," followed by Catherine, who said the same. He asked the crowd to also pledge their support for the duo. At 9:38 p.m. it was time for another break.

Sean and Catherine continued (at 9:42 p.m.) by reciting their vows to each other. "The first time I saw you, you were a light to my bug," said Catherine. " ... Every time I kiss you my whole body feels it. Sometimes I think I'm going to explode by how much I love you. I promise to love you after my heart bursts... You are my dream and my reality, my future and my present, my whole heart and my best friend..."

Said Sean, "From the moment I met you I wanted more ... You had me hooked from the beginning and I didn't want to let you go. We met in the strangest way you can possibly meet someone (which brought laughter from the crowd) ... Every day I am encouraged by your love and your selflessness. ... I promise to always make you laugh with my silly faces and ridiculous voices. ... I'm going to love you for eternity."

By 9:49 p.m. ET, they were man and wife, the crowd clapped, confetti fell, Sean cried and Catherine giggled as they exited the ceremony. "My beautiful wife," said Sean, kissing her.